New medical reports on Eleanor Donaldson submitted, court hears

By Jonathan McCambridge (Press Association)

Two new medical reports relating to Lady Eleanor Donaldson have been submitted to court, a judge has said.

The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on charges relating to alleged historical sexual offences has been delayed twice because of her medical issues.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.

A new trial date of May 26 has been set.

Neither of the Donaldsons attended a brief update hearing at Newry Crown Court on Friday.

Judge Paul Ramsey said the court has received two further medical reports on Eleanor Donaldson.

Prosecuting barrister Rosemary Walsh KC said she had received the reports on Friday morning.

The judge said the prosecution would want to look at the reports.

The court was then given an update on progress ahead of the trial.

Judge Ramsey said he would review the matter again on May 5, saying: “That will give us a clear three weeks before the trial.”

Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.

Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.